Get clown fish to host anemone

The-Russ · Feb 24, 2016

I got some tank raised clown fish and an anemone and I want them to host it. Problem is, it is not exactly normal for them to do. I have them in a small tank inside my display but they are not into it. They have touched it, I forced them to, but they don't do it on their own.

Any suggestions? How long can I keep them in this tiny tank and should I keep them in it until they are comfortable with the anemone? As soon as I put them in my display, I can never get them back.

This pic looks like they are in it, but they are not.

blkhawk10 · Feb 24, 2016

My clownfish hosts an anemone and I tried this method...tho I can't say this was the absolute reason my clownfish started hosting but you can always try hanging a picture of a clownfish hosting an anemone on the outside of the tank looking in. I can't say for sure the clownfish wouldn't have hosted without the picture but it's worth a try.

Techie_ · Feb 24, 2016

Melevsreef on YouTube used an acrylic tube and put the clowns down the tube to swim into the nem. It seemed to work, I recommend you check it out.

jdpeters · Feb 24, 2016

I had a clown host a toadstool but only after being in the tank with it after a couple months

Eckolancer · Feb 24, 2016

My clowns hosted the anenome the second it hit the water. But at night they sleep in my hammer and frogspawn.

Hausser · Feb 24, 2016

I have 4 anemone in my tank and my clowns only host my torch, the female lays her eggs on the base of the torch.

The-Russ · Feb 24, 2016

I am keeping my clowns in the small container all night.

It seems like the Anemone stings them. They touch it and freak out.

mbemount · Feb 24, 2016

Clownfish don't host the anemone, the anemone hosts the clownfish!

I wouldn't try to force it, give it some time.

The-Russ · Feb 25, 2016

Techie_ said:
Melevsreef on YouTube used an acrylic tube and put the clowns down the tube to swim into the nem. It seemed to work, I recommend you check it out.

I saw that. The clowns definitely had their share of touching the Anemone, but I would not say that they liked it. I wonder if they immunity is something that they need to build. This morning, I moved the anemone towards them and they were in it and one of the clowns got out of the container I had them in so I let the other one out and put the Anemone in the tank. The clowns are enamored with their new environment and I am hopeful, but doubtful they will ever host their 20hr tank buddy. I guess only time will tell.

If they do not enter it to be hosted @mbemount...

I will buy a pair that do, they will go OUT of the tank and be sold.

The-Russ · Feb 25, 2016

mbemount said:
Clownfish don't host the anemone, the anemone hosts the clownfish!

I wouldn't try to force it, give it some time.

SO TRUE SO TRUE

happyhourhero · Feb 25, 2016

Mine just eventually started hosting after a few weeks. One started sucking on the tentacles and a week or so later they moved right in.

G8trBait16 · Feb 25, 2016

I have a Rainbow Bubble tip Anemone and a pair of Snow Flake Clownfish. All I did was put the anemone in my display first then put the clowns in. After 2 days they both were hosting the anemone.

The-Russ · Feb 25, 2016

G8trBait16 said:
I have a Rainbow Bubble tip Anemone and a pair of Snow Flake Clownfish. All I did was put the anemone in my display first then put the clowns in. After 2 days they both were hosting the anemone.

I hope mine do the same.

Oh and as @mbemount has stated, the Anemone hosts the cowns

DeniseAndy · Feb 25, 2016

I had one pair that took 7 months to find their host anemone. Another pair that try to host in half the tank (usually the leathers) and another that took to the nem almost immediately. All were tank bred.

I have a current pair that stay in the algae covering my overflow tube directly above the nem. Literally inches! Dumb clowns. Maybe some day they will go, "hey this thing doesn't get scraped off by huge hands" and stick to the nem.